With the accessibility of the internet and social media, it’s easy for false information and myths to spread like wildfire. Thankfully, they also allow people to set the facts straight and address these misconceptions. 

And just when you think that myths are only for health hacks, government conspiracy theories, and movie speculations— believe it or not, there are also some myths about foundation repair. 

In our many years in the business, we’ve heard a lot of them. And we’re going to help you straighten them out. Starting with…

Myth 1: “Foundation repair is unnecessary.” 

Some homeowners get away with having small cracks in their foundation, but still need to keep a close eye on the situation. 

The truth is, small cracks may seem like they’re no big deal at first. However, when they start to get bigger, they can cause a few more problems down the line too. Sticky doors, saggy or creaky floors and wood rot can all be caused by foundation damage. 

So if you start to notice bigger cracks in your walls, stairs, and foundation, it’s time to call an expert. 

Myth 2: “Water is your friend.” 

It’s more like your frenemy, really. 

Having overly dry soil around your foundation is not good because it can detach from the concrete. However, too much water can also damage your foundation. 

When the soil absorbs too much water, it can swell and apply more pressure against your foundation, causing damage. Aside from cracks in your walls, doors, and floors, it can also cause your chimney to lean to the side. 

If you want to learn more about how the rain affects your foundation and what you can do about it, you can read our blog post here. 

Myth 3: “Only older houses can develop foundation cracks.”

If you are looking to move to a new home, you might think that buying a new house means there would be no foundation issues. After all, only the old houses are the ones with damage, right? 

Actually, no. While it’s true that older houses are more prone to damage like cracks, it’s entirely possible for it to happen to a newer home too. If you need help identifying signs of foundation problems, read this blog post.

Myth 4: “It’s better to replace a foundation than repair it.” 

It’s a common misconception that new things are better than fixing old ones. And while there may be extreme cases where the foundation is simply beyond repair, most of the time, repairing your foundation is the best option. 

Replacing your foundation can be very expensive and chaotic, involving heavy equipment. You would have to remove the things surrounding your house, such as your gardens and dog houses. 

Moreover, foundation damage is usually caused by the soil around your foundation. Replacing your foundation without addressing the soil surrounding it would just result in the same problem. 

Repairing your foundation is less expensive, disruptive, and may even be more sustainable. 

 

Have you ever believed in any of these myths? Do you have a certain foundation repair myth that you want debunked? Let us know in the comments! 

Regular maintenance and evaluating your foundation is important, but it’s not something that most homeowners can do. SSR’s professional and trusted experts can help you identify issues and how you can address them. Call 980-250-2711 for a free quote or visit www.ssrcarolinas.com/services to learn more about our services.